St. Lawrence Centre hosting snow sculpting contest

MASSENA - This weekend should have been the second annual ice sculpting contest at St. Lawrence Centre, but last years mild winter left the area without snow canceling what would have been the first event.

Although this winter has provided plenty of snow, St. Lawrence Centre Marketing Manager Ronald J. Patnode said until this week he was again unsure whether they would be able to hold the contest this year either.

We did get the snow, so we were happy, but then with this week of really cold weather we werent sure again, Mr. Patnode said, adding the malls maintenance crew was able to build two cubes thus far.

It was quite intensive. They had to build a frame and use a pay-loader to fill it, he said. Then they had to pack it down and fill it again.

Mr. Patnode said he was happy with how the blocks turned out and hes looking forward to this weekend.

They turned out very nice. Its very good snow. Its nice and white, he said, adding they are still hoping to have room for one to two more teams.

We should have one or possible two blocks available, he said.

Teams, he said, should consist of at least two people, with no more than three people allowed to work on the sculpture at a time, although teams can have more than three people on them.

So far the contest includes two teams coming from the Watertown area, one of which is planning to begin work on its sculpture Friday afternoon. Both teams he said will be working all day on Saturday with the finished touches being completed Sunday morning.

Sculptures must be completed by noon on Sunday with the winner to be announced shortly thereafter.

Were excited. Were going to have some very nice snow sculptures, he said. Its really interesting to watch and its amazing what they can carve.

The contest is free for participants and spectators, and a warming room for sculptors will also be available inside the mall.

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